Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Because I was up anyway.

Perhaps it was because I had seen a news story on Yahoo, or perhaps it was because I drank most of a twenty ounce bottle of water before going to bed, but I was up at 4:25 a.m. this past Tuesday morning (8/28/7). The second time that night. I remembered a total lunar eclipse was going on and at that moment was reaching its peak here in Austin TX. After a few moments of arguing with myself, I put on some shorts and went out into the front yard. Kasey our dog padded along with me.

I looked around for a moment or two at the sky not seeing the moon right away, but located it about halfway up off the horizon to the southwest from the end of our driveway. Only the lower edge was fully lit. The rest of a nearly full moon was shadowy and dull, as if clouds were obstructing the view, only not by Earthly clouds, but those that might be around the moon itself. No changes of color of the moon this time meaning it did not run red with blood or anything.

I looked around the neighborhood and all was quiet. No other nerdy types out with their dogs looking at the moon. The main thorough-fare near our house was very quiet and a pleasant breeze was blowing.

After about five minutes I took a final look at the dusky moon and headed in. I marvel at how these eclipses are predicted and with such accuracy. It wasn't an awesome display of celestial power, but a nice cerebral moment, a chance to contemplate one's place in the world, but five minutes was all I could stand. Kasey failed to notice at all.

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